Basic bank accounts

Basic bank accounts help those with poor credit scores get a bank account. Basic bank accounts are what they say they are. They come with no strings attached, frills or anything else you would associate with a standard current account. You put your money in and you take it out. They are often fee-free.

Latest reviews of basic bank accounts

Halifax - Basic Account

Finder rating

★★★★★

Customer rating

★★★★★

Read review

£0

Min. opening balance

£0

Account fees

0% AER

Interest (AER)

• Account info
• Pros/cons
• Details

Cashback Extras - Earn up to 15% cashback from selected retailers when shopping with a Halifax credit or debit card.

Whether you’ve experienced bankruptcy, you’re in financial difficulty or you have no credit history, the Halifax basic bank account could help. The account offers free everyday banking and no monthly maintenance fee and it comes with a contactless Visa debit card for all your spending requirements. You can manage your account online, on your mobile, over the phone and in branch, with 24 hour access. What's more, unlike many basic accounts, you can even take advantage of features such as Cashback Extras, allowing you to earn up to 15% cashback at certain high street brands. The account’s Save the Change feature will also round up your spending to the nearest pound and transfer the difference into your nominated Halifax savings account. There is no arranged overdraft on the account and there is no cheque book available either.

• No monthly fee
• Multiple ways to bank
• Access to Cashback Extras and Save the Change features

• No overdraft facility
• No monthly cash reward

Minimum opening balance	£0
Minimum operating balance	£0
Switch service guarantee	Yes
Account fee	£0
Overseas card transactions	2.99%
Overseas cash withdrawals	2.99%

HSBC - Basic Bank Account

Finder rating

★★★★★

Customer rating

★★★★★

Read review

£0.01

Min. opening balance

£0

Account fees

0% AER

Interest (AER)

• Account info
• Pros/cons
• Details

This is a day-to-day basic bank account designed for those with a poor credit history or those having financial difficulties. There is no monthly fee for the account and it enables users to set up direct debits and standing orders, send money to friends and family and make payments using the contactless Visa debit card that comes with the account. You can also use your card for cash withdrawals and withdraw up to £300 per day. You can manage your money online, via your mobile or over the phone 24/7. To apply for the account you will need to be aged 16 or over and a UK or EU resident. Be aware there is no overdraft facility on the account but you will still need to be credit checked.

• No monthly fee
• Multiple ways to bank
• Free everyday banking transactions

• No overdraft facility
• Limited account features and benefits

Minimum opening balance	£0.01
Minimum operating balance	£0.01
Switch service guarantee	Yes
Account fee	£0
Overseas card transactions	2.75%
Overseas cash withdrawals	2.75%

Nationwide BS - FlexBasic

Finder rating

★★★★★

Customer rating

★★★★★

Read review

£1

Min. opening balance

£0

Account fees

0% AER

Interest (AER)

• Account info
• Pros/cons
• Details

If you don’t hold another bank account and you’re struggling to get accepted for one, the Nationwide FlexBasic account could be the answer. To qualify for the account, you will need to be at least 18 years old and a UK resident. There is no monthly fee to pay and you can manage your money online, over the phone, in branch or via the app. The app can help you view and search your transactions, freeze and unfreeze your debit card or report your card as lost or stolen. As well as your contactless debit card, you can use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Paym to make purchases. As is standard with a basic bank account, there is no overdraft facility, no cheque book and no interest paid on credit balances. Accounts can be opened on an individual basis or jointly.

• No monthly fee
• Multiple ways to bank
• Easy to track your spending via the app

• No overdraft facility
• Limited account features

Minimum opening balance	£1
Minimum operating balance	£0
Switch service guarantee	Yes
Account fee	£0
Overseas card transactions	2.99%
Overseas cash withdrawals	2.99%

Metro Bank - Cash Account

Finder rating

★★★★★

Customer rating

★★★★★

Read review

£0

Min. opening balance

£0

Account fees

0% AER

Interest (AER)

• Account info
• Pros/cons
• Details

You can open this account from Metro Bank if you’re aged 11 or older and a UK resident. You’ll need to provide proof of identity and proof of address. You can open your account instantly at your local branch and your bank card will be printed there and then. There are no monthly fees on the account but keep in mind the account offers limited features. For example, there is no overdraft facility and you won’t be able to set up direct debits (standing orders can be set up if you’re aged 16 or over). Your card also can’t be used outside the UK except where the Link logo is displayed on a cash machine - for example, in France, Gibraltar, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Payments can be made over the phone, in a branch, via internet banking or via the app.

• Can open your account instantly in branch
• No monthly fee
• Open account from the age of 11

• Limited account features
• Restrictions on bank card usage
• No overdraft facility

Minimum opening balance	£0
Minimum operating balance	£0
Switch service guarantee	No
Account fee	£0
Overseas cash withdrawals	0%

The Co-operative Bank - Cashminder

Customer rating

★★★★★

Read review

£0

Min. opening balance

£0

Account fees

0% AER

Interest (AER)

• Account info
• Pros/cons
• Details

This account from the Co-op is aimed at those with no credit history or a low credit score, including those who have experienced bankruptcy. To qualify for the account you must be at least 16 years old and a UK resident. Applying should only take around 10 minutes and no credit check will be carried out. Once accepted, you’ll receive a Visa debit card which you can use to make payments, along with Apple Pay, Google Play and Samsung Pay. There are no charges for opening the account and you’ll be able to manage it online and via the app. The account is available as both a joint account and an individual account. Be aware there is no overdraft facility or cheque book available. There will also be fees for using your debit card abroad, as well as for electronic payments such as CHAPs and for other services such as copies of your statement.

• No credit check carried out
• Manage your account online or via the app
• No monthly fee
• Pay using your debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay

• No overdraft facility
• Limited features on account
• Fees for certain services

Minimum opening balance	£0
Minimum operating balance	£0
Switch service guarantee	Yes
Account fee	£0
Overseas card transactions	2.75%
Overseas cash withdrawals	2.75%

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Name	Product	Ratings	Account fees	Funding requirement	Interest (AER)	Arranged overdraft	Incentive	Representative example	Link
Basic Cash Account Basic Cash Account		Not yet rated	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER				View details		loading Fetching your data...
M Account M Account		Finder score ★★★★★ ★★★★★ User survey ★★★★★ ★★★★★	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER		Cashback with participating retailers.		View details		loading Fetching your data...
Foundation Account Foundation Account		Finder score ★★★★★ ★★★★★ User survey ★★★★★ ★★★★★	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER		Free 24/7 Emergency Cash Service to withdraw up to £300 for online and telephone banking customers or £60 if not.		View details		loading Fetching your data...
Basic Current Account Basic Current Account Finder Award		Finder score ★★★★★ ★★★★★ User survey ★★★★★ ★★★★★	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER		Sign up for Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers.		View details		loading Fetching your data...
Foundation Account Foundation Account		Finder score ★★★★★ ★★★★★ User survey ★★★★★ ★★★★★	£0	No minimum funding requirement	0% AER		Free 24/7 Emergency Cash Service to withdraw up to £300 for online and telephone banking customers or £60 if not.		View details		loading Fetching your data...

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What is a basic bank account?

Basic bank accounts are stripped-back accounts with fewer features – most notably without an overdraft facility. These accounts are made available to customers with poor credit scores. In fact, they’re typically available without the need for a credit search. You can check your own credit score here.

With these accounts, you will still be able to set up direct debits and standing orders. In most cases, you’ll also be given a debit card and access to online and telephone banking.

There are no monthly fees with these accounts. However, you shouldn’t expect to earn interest on credit balances or receive an overdraft. Additionally, perks like cashback are much rarer (although not unheard of) on Basic accounts.

Who can open a basic bank account?

The main selling point of basic bank accounts is that they have wider eligibility criteria. If you are a UK resident, you should be able to open one of these accounts. Learn more about opening a bank account as a non-UK resident.

Requirements to open a basic bank account

In most cases, you can open a basic bank account with proof of ID and proof of address. You’ll need to be at least 16 years old. Read our guides to find out more about opening an account if you do not have proof of ID or proof of address.

In some cases, you won’t need to pass a credit check to open an account. Even if you do, those with low credit scores are still likely to pass.

How to manage a basic bank account

Most basic bank accounts come with a debit card and online banking, just like regular bank accounts.

Alternatives to basic bank accounts

If you’re looking for a simple way to open a bank account, but with more flexibility in managing your money, you may want to consider opening an account with a digital-only challenger bank.

You could try a digital bank like Starling Bank or Revolut. The application process can be completed by downloading the respective app, making it quick and hassle-free, and you may not need to undergo a credit check for a simple account without an overdraft facility.

Like a high-street bank, some of these online-only banks offer Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection, meaning that if the bank ever hits financial trouble, your deposits will be protected by the government up to an £85,000 limit.

With Starling Bank, you can choose from a personal account that charges no fees for overseas ATM withdrawals or transactions and offers some in-credit interest. With Revolut, as well as all the regular functions of a basic current account, you have the flexibility to transfer money abroad in more than 30 currencies with the interbank exchange rate and its multi-currency card lets you hold up to 30 currencies at a time.

While these banks don’t have physical branches, you can manage your account via the bank’s smartphone app, using live chat messages and in some cases telephone services. It’s also worth noting that Starling Bank allows its personal account customers to deposit money via the Post Office network.

There are also UK banking providers who specialise in offering personal accounts that you can open without a credit check, such as Cashplus and thinkmoney though these accounts come with a fee.

Pros and cons of Basic Bank Accounts

Bottom line

Basic bank accounts are not as good as regular bank accounts. However, these can be a life-saver for those who get rejected for any other type of account due to a poor credit score.

Once you have started to fix your credit score, it is recommended to switch from a basic account to a regular bank account, so you can take advantage of the extra features available.

Frequently asked questions

• Do you get a debit card with a basic bank account?

  Yes, most basic bank accounts grant you a debit card.

• How long does it take to open a basic bank account?

  You can switch to a basic bank account using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), which guarantees you a seamless switch in less than seven working days. You can expect to open most basic bank accounts within this time, even if you’re not switching from another service.

• How much does a basic bank account cost?

  There are rarely any fees associated with a basic bank account.